Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) repeatedly dodged answering when he could endorse Democratic New York City mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani on Sunday, saying he will “continue talking to him.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) endorsed Mamdani on Sept. 14, joining the likes of Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) in backing the socialist candidate. Schumer said he’s had “a good relationship” with Mamdani and the two had a good meeting with “a lot of serious questions” but only promised to continue talks with the mayoral candidate when asked about an endorsement.
Recommended Stories
- Schwarzenegger's star appeal and political reach tested in Proposition 50 redistricting fight
- Early voting begins in Virginia elections: What to know
- Just over half of California voters back Newsom's redistricting ballot measure
CNN’s Dana Bash pressed the senator on what’s keeping him from giving his approval to Mamdani’s run, prompting Schumer to again say he will keep talking to Mamdani. Bash asked if a possible endorsement hurting the Democratic Party and its chances in the 2026 midterm elections plays a role in Schumer’s decision.
“I’m going to continue talking to him, Dana. You can ask me again,” Schumer said on CNN’s State of the Union.
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) slammed Hochul’s endorsement of Mamdani, writing on Saturday that it caused “a catastrophic freefall of the NY Democrat Party.” Stefanik is widely speculated to run against Hochul in next year’s New York gubernatorial election, one of many major races in the midterm elections.
ELISE STEFANIK STANDS UP TO ZOHRAN MAMDANI’S DANGEROUS AND RADICAL POLITICS
Not every Democrat is rallying behind Mamdani, however, with New York State Democratic Party Chairman Jay Jacobs saying Thursday he will not endorse his party’s nominee. Jacobs, who is Jewish, said he “strongly” disagrees with Mamdani’s views on Israel and does not believe the Democratic Socialists of America align with the Democratic Party’s values or policies.
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), a Mamdani endorsee, told the Washington Examiner his party will “come around” to Mamdani, calling the Democratic nominee a “very smart, funny, and humane candidate.”